Wednesday Storm Downs Trees, Leads to Accident on Spear Street
by Nancy Wood,
July 7, 2011.....

At approximately 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon a sudden storm, identified by some as a micro-burst, came off the lake and whipped through Charlotte, downing trees in its path, crossing Greenbush Road in the area of Haymaker Road and through East Charlotte. Just a few years ago a similar storm did significant damage to trees in the conserved Williams Woods.

On Spear Street Extension the road was partially blocked by a fallen tree, leading to a serious accident. Here are the details as provided in an accident report from the Vermont State Police:

"Press Release: Motor Veh. Accident
Case#11A102790

The Vermont State Police and Charlotte Fire and Rescue responded to a head on collision on Spear Street in the Town of Charlotte on 7/6/11 at 15:34 hours. Roxanne Carson, 45 year old female from Charlotte, was driving a 1995 Ford Ranger north on Spear Street. Lewis Barnes, 55 year old male from Bristol, was traveling south in a 2006 Ford F-350 Dump truck. A tree had fallen across the south bound lane and was partially covering the northbound lane as well. Barnes stopped and slowly began creeping out to see if the northbound lane was clear when he was struck head on by Carson in her Ford Ranger. Barnes sustained minor injuries and was wearing his seatbelt and the air bag did deploy. Carson was not wearing her seatbelt and was thrown from the driver's seat into the passenger seat. She had to be extricated from her truck by Charlotte Fire Dept. Both operators were transported to Fletcher Allen Hospital in Burlington to be treated. At the time of this press release both operators were still being seen by medical staff. Trooper Ambroz processed Carson for DUI at the hospital and is awaiting the results of her blood sample from the Vermont Dept. of Health. The accident is still under investigation however, it does appear speed and alcohol are factors in the collision.

Senior Trooper Todd Ambroz
VSP, Williston Barracks
878-7111"